FOOTPATH EXPLOSIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20302, 9 July 1929, Page 13

FOOTPATH EXPLOSIONS.

WORK COMMENCED IN CITY

OVERCOMING THE TROUBLE.

REPLACING OLD CABLES. .

The cable-laying operations m progress near tho chief post office represent tho first section of the work now being undertaken by tho Auckland Power Board to replaco all tho old direct current cables in tho city. The change is designed to prevent explosions and blow-outs. Reporting to tho Power Board yesterday, the manager, Mr. R. H. Bartley, said tho lower end of Queen Street would be dealt with first, as that was where tho chief trouble had occurred. Tlio work could not bo carried on without causing a certain amount of inconvonicnco to business houses and pedestrians, but this would be reduced to a minimum. Tho chairman, Mr. W. J. Iloldsworth, said tlio replacement of tho cables would remove any risk of a recurrence of tho trouble, a fact which should give satisfaction to thoso business people who might bo for tho moment put to somo inconvenience. Mr. Bartley said that in laying tho now cables provision was being made for tho expansion of demand duo to tho growth of the city. It was decided to change over two further areas from direct to alternating current. Ono area, extending from tho Westniero Estate to Ilerne Bay, fed from tho Ponsonby sub-stations, is estimated to cost £I2OO, tho other, comprising tho Newmarket railway workshops, recently vacated by tho Railway Department, and adjacent streets, is estimated to cost £2500.